FRS, GMRS, MURS, CB and ham compared
Five radio services, side by side, so you can pick the right one. Ranges are rough and depend on terrain and antenna.
| FRS | GMRS | MURS | CB | Ham radio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| License | None | FCC license, no exam | None | None | FCC license with exam |
| Band | 462 and 467 MHz | 462 and 467 MHz | 151 and 154 MHz | 27 MHz | Many bands |
| Repeaters | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Typical handheld range | Under 2 miles | 1 to 5 miles | 1 to 3 miles | 1 to 5 miles | Varies by band |
| Best for | Families, trips | Families, groups, repeaters | Farms, job sites | Truckers, hobby | Experimenting, long distance |
Which one is for you
Just need to talk on a trip
FRS radios work out of the box with no paperwork.
Want more range and repeaters
Get a GMRS license and a GMRS radio.
Want worldwide reach and experiments
Study for a ham license.
Need a no-license radio for work
MURS has no license and cuts through noise.
Read the FCC rules and the complete GMRS guide next.